A phase III, open-label, single-arm, study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a trivalent, surface antigen inactivated subunit influenza virus vaccine produced in mammalian cell culture (Optaflu®) in healthy adults

Vaccination is an essential tool in reducing the impact of seasonal influenza infections. The viral strains responsible for seasonal outbreaks vary annually, and preventive vaccines have to be adapted accordingly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, clinical tolerability and the antibody response to each of the three influenza vaccine antigens after vaccination with a cell-derived, trivalent, surface antigen, inactivated influenza vaccine (TIVc), as measured by single radial haemolysis (SRH) or haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay in accordance with European Union licensing guidelines in place for years 2013/2014. This phase 3, open-label, single-arm study enrolled 126 healthy adults divided into two age groups (63 subjects aged 18 to ≤ 60 years and 63 subjects aged ≥ 61 years). Antibody titres were measured before and 21 days after vaccination. Adverse events were determined using diary cards, interviews and reviews of the available medical records. One subject was lost to follow-up and three subjects had protocol deviations. Following vaccination, protective HI antibody titres (≥ 1:40) were detected in 100%, 97%, and 94% of the younger adults (18–≤ 60 years) and in 97%, 95%, and 80% of the older adults (≥ 61 years) against the A (H1N1), A (H3N2), and B influenza strains respectively. The antibody response licensing criteria were met in both age groups. Solicited adverse events were reported by 57% subjects 18 to ≤ 60 years and 35% subjects ≥ 61 years. Among the younger adults 51% had local and 27% had systemic adverse events, whereas of the older subjects 29% had local and 13% had systemic adverse events (mainly injection site pain or headache in both age groups). Unsolicited adverse events at least possibly related to the vaccine were mild and detected in 3% of the younger adults and none of the older adults. Overall, the trivalent, surface antigen, inactivated subunit influenza virus vaccine produced in mammalian cell culture proved to be safe and immunogenic in younger and older healthy adults.